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GERMANY | Bavarian Alps, Germany Travel Guide
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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Königssee
Königssee, Germany (cc)
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri
Königssee
In 1978, the Alpine National Park was formed to protect the natural beauty of the area around the Königssee and Watzmann peak in Schönau. Nothing at the entrance to the park reveals any of the beauty that lies beyond the tollgate-like entrance, the enormous parking lot, and the street of kitsch souvenir shops that leads to the lake.
Once at the water itself, things improve quickly. The Königssee (King’s Lake) is Germany’s cleanest lake, with water of drinking quality. Measuring 4.8 miles long, up to 1.2 miles wide, and 620 ft deep, it is almost fjord-like, and surrounded by mountains. The Watzmann peak rises 5,904 ft straight up from the lake to form a wall on the eastern shore. It is impossible to hike around the lake, since it is edged with sheer walls of rock in many places. Electric boats do tour the lake, with a round-trip taking two hours.
The most popular stop is at the St Bartholomä enclave, about halfway down the lake. The first Wahlfahrtskirche St Bartholomä (Pilgrims Chapel) was erected in 1134. This Romanesque church was converted to the present Baroque structure between 1698 and 1710. Its triple apse is one of the most photographed buildings in Germany. The best view of it is from the lake – all three round apses can be seen in equal proportion shortly before landing. It is also visible from several viewing points in the region such as Jenner and Kehlstein. The St Bartholomä enclave was a favored hunting area for the rulers of Berchtesgaden in the 18th century and the Bavarian royals in the 19th century. A popular hike is the two-hour round-trip to see the ice chapel. The enclave can only be reached by boat or by hiking across the lake when it occasionally freezes over in winter.
At the far end of the lake is the Salet stop. From here, it is a 15-minute hike to see the spectacularly located little Obersee Lake. Also visible from here are the 1,300-ft-high Röthbach Waterfalls.
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